Who is behind the Secret Garden CHS?

And wondering, why it is called the Secret Garden CHS? Well, let me try to keep it short (and sweet 😊 ).

I am Pia, born and raised in Denmark, the country the invented LEGO’s, great pastries, and HYGGE. A nature-, beach lover, worldly interested and like to explore, countries, people, culture, floral design in any order.

As a child I loved the forest that was bordered our house, running around, exploring “the wilderness”, I felt very much at home – our garden had flower beds and apple trees, and the biggest producing area in the neighborhood, and a large lawn, we moved by hand, those were those days. But I learnt a lot about growing, nurturing, seasons of the year from that.

A little adventurous by nature, a traveler at heart,  I met my Irish husband in London, England, where we lived for a few years. We have two grown daughters, and a German Shepherd, Atlas, that likes to think he needs to be present everywhere we go.

I was a nurse before I ventured into floral design in 1999. I did floral training in Denmark, and had a small homebased studio.

In 2008 my husbands work brought our family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the USA, as a bi-lingual family, we felt it was a gift, we could give our daughters, to live in another country for a few years… Well, life happens, we are still here, and we are living our best lives.

Relocating brought new opportunities for all. I have always felt a deep connection with nature/gardening, and am a firm believer in the healing power/stress relief, we get from being connected with nature, surrounding ourselves with live plants and flowers, so I pursued and got my certificate in Horticultural Therapy at New York Botanical Gardens.

I started working as a freelance floral designer for event companies in Philadelphia, and worked also for small flower shops, and large Main Line florists. I have had the greatest joy in winning Blue Ribbon competitions at the Philadelphia Flower Show, and being part of the team working on the main exhibit/entry way to the actual Flower Show for 3 years.

In 2016 we relocated to Charleston, we missed being away from water (read the Ocean,) and have always dreamt of living in a milder climate. Charleston has a special mix of culture, history, nature, people, that gets under your skin in the best possible way.

I have had great experiences working for local flower shops and homebased studios the first couple of years we have been here, but am happiest being my own creative lead. The Secret Garden CHS, CHS for Charleston to pay homage to our new home and Secret Garden because my floral designs are not cookie cutter, and should continue to intrigue, inspire, and make people happy.